Libraries' entanglements
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
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Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master’s Programme in Design
Language
en
Pages
51
Series
Abstract
Public libraries in the Nordics have pushed the boundaries of the meaning of library services by becoming centres for public engagement. Amid rapid digitalization, libraries are pillars of digital literacy and digital support, acting as internet cafes, hosting volunteer support groups or as places to try out emerging technologies. Like in other public sector organizations, the services libraries provide rely on collaborations with private and third-sector stakeholders. However, collaborations with the private sector raise the concern that market logic could affect the democratic, non-commercial, and free aspects of libraries. To explore this issue, I asked the following research questions: What do stakeholders perceive are the challenges of engaging in private-public collaborations in public libraries? How do stakeholders perceive new public services that include private actors affect the capabilities that public libraries enable for citizens? To answer these questions, I conducted a qualitative study where librarians and private sector actors participated in interviews and workshops. During those encounters, participants presented their views and experiences on collaborative projects and imagined how to carry out new ones. In this thesis, I integrate public sector innovation (PSI) and capability approach (CA) theories. PSI studies explore cross-sector collaborations and how they perform as governance strategies. The Capability Approach (CA), which evaluates quality of life based on individuals’ capabilities to pursue what they value, will serve as an ethical framework for determining when to support collaborative initiatives. Using thematic analysis, I problematize the necessary conditions, benefits, and tensions in library-company collaborations. In this thesis I present three main findings. First, the goals and practices of public libraries and private actors may differ, hence, they need to share their organizations’ goals with transparency and coordinate efforts to align the goals. Second, because of being highly used public spaces, libraries are vital to make things accessible for citizens. When companies channel their resources through libraries, new capabilities for citizens, such as access to new technologies, can be enabled. However, enabling new capabilities through libraries collaborating with private actors could jeopardize agency and freedom of choice in library services by introducing commercial interests into public spaces. For each theme, I introduce one or two insights that condense the findings and inspire action on: Improving the way in which collaborative initiatives are settled, joining efforts to bring resources closer to citizens, and noticing the undesired effects that may rise when collaborating with the private sector. Overall, in this thesis, I support the idea that collaborative initiatives between public libraries and private companies are necessary for enabling new capabilities for citizens. However, those collaborations must be carefully crafted so in the process of creating new capabilities they do not disrupt those that already exist at libraries.Description
Supervisor
Keinonen, TurkkaThesis advisor
Ehrenberg, NilsKeywords
libraries, collaboration, co-design, digitalization, design justice, design for government